Booster concerns

SAN LUIS VALLEY - Many people have questions about the timing of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. When the vaccines were first made available last December, they were made available in phases, with those at high risk such as healthcare workers and nursing home residents getting the vaccine first, then eligibility gradually expanded to others. While we don’t yet know exactly how Colorado will roll out the administration of boosters, it is possible that it will look similar to the phased approach that was used before. Whatever plan the state settles on, it will take some time, and it will not begin until sometime after September 20th. 

You still have good protection if you received your second dose of vaccine earlier in 2021, and there is no benefit to getting your booster earlier than the recommended minimum of 8 months after the 2nd dose. The exception to this is a small number of people who have specific medical conditions that cause them to be immunocompromised, who are eligible for a 3rd dose now. 

There were 139 known active cases of COVID-19 in the San Luis Valley as of Thursday.

* Alamosa County - 46

* Conejos County - 16

* Costilla County - 16

* Mineral County - 1

* Rio Grande County - 44

* Saguache County - 16

For information on COVID-19 testing and vaccinations in the San Luis Valley, please see www.slvphp.com.